Bulleit Old Fashioned 375ML

Bulleit Old Fashioned 375ML is a ready-to-drink bourbon Old Fashioned cocktail bottled at 37.5% ABV (75 proof) in a 375ml format. This pre-mixed expression earned consecutive Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2023 and 2024, placing it among the most decorated bottles in the rapidly growing RTD cocktail category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 37.5%  |  Origin: Kentucky, United States  |  Style: Ready-to-Drink Old Fashioned  |  Base Spirit: Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Production & Heritage

The Bulleit Old Fashioned is built on Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which uses a distinctive high-rye mashbill of 68% corn, 28% rye, and 4% malted barley—a grain recipe that gives the base spirit more spice and backbone than typical bourbon-based RTDs. The cocktail recipe was developed in collaboration with celebrated bartenders who helped refine the balance of bourbon, bitters, and sweetness. The result is a bottled cocktail that retains the character of its high-rye bourbon foundation while integrating orange bitters and subtle sweetening agents in proportions designed to mirror a well-made bar pour.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet oak and warm nutmeg lead the nose, followed by light toffee and a thread of citrus zest. The bourbon's grain character comes through clearly, signaling that the spirit hasn't been buried under sweeteners.

Taste: The entry is rich with caramel and vanilla, quickly joined by toasted oak at mid-palate. Zesty orange notes weave through the bourbon's natural spice, while bitters add structure without dominating. The high-rye mashbill contributes a peppery edge that keeps each sip from tipping into cloying sweetness.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering toffee and a gentle warmth that recalls neat bourbon. Oak tannins and a whisper of orange peel linger as the finish dries out cleanly.

How to Drink Bulleit Old Fashioned

Pour over a single large ice cube in a rocks glass and garnish with an expressed orange peel—this is designed to be a complete cocktail straight from the bottle. For a twist, try these variations: a Smoked Old Fashioned, where you add a quick hit of applewood smoke under a glass cloche to amplify the oak and toffee; a Wisconsin-style Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet riff, adding a splash of lemon-lime soda and a cherry for a longer, lighter drink; or a Coffee Old Fashioned, stirring in a quarter ounce of cold brew concentrate to layer roasted depth against the bourbon's caramel.

Best For

• Bringing a bar-quality cocktail to outdoor gatherings where glassware and bottles are impractical
• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who appreciates a well-balanced Old Fashioned
• Stocking a hotel room or home bar for effortless entertaining
• Sampling a high-quality RTD cocktail without committing to a full 750ml bottle

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bulleit Old Fashioned taste like? It delivers rich caramel, vanilla, and sweet oak up front, followed by zesty orange and a peppery rye spice from the high-rye Bulleit bourbon base. Orange bitters add complexity without overpowering the bourbon character.

How does Bulleit Old Fashioned compare to Bulleit Manhattan? Both sit in the Bulleit Crafted Cocktails line at the same 37.5% ABV, but the Old Fashioned emphasizes caramel sweetness and orange citrus, while the Manhattan leans into vermouth-driven herbal and dried-fruit notes. The Old Fashioned is the more approachable of the two for drinkers who prefer bourbon-forward simplicity.

Is Bulleit Old Fashioned good for sipping neat? Yes—at 75 proof, it drinks comfortably without ice if you prefer, and its balanced sweetness and bitters structure mean it holds up well at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Where is Bulleit Old Fashioned made? It is produced in Kentucky, United States, using Bulleit Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey as its base spirit. Bulleit operates its own distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

What foods pair well with Bulleit Old Fashioned? Smoked brisket or pulled pork, where the bourbon's caramel and oak complement charred, savory meat; dark chocolate truffles, which mirror the toffee notes; sharp aged cheddar, whose saltiness contrasts the cocktail's sweetness; candied pecans, echoing the nutty warmth; and orange-glazed duck, reinforcing the citrus bitters in the drink.

What sizes does Bulleit Old Fashioned come in? The expression is commonly available in a 375ml bottle, which yields roughly four to five generous pours depending on serving size.

Is Bulleit Old Fashioned worth the price? It positions as a premium ready-to-drink cocktail, priced above mass-market RTDs but justified by its 75-proof strength, high-rye bourbon base, and back-to-back Double Gold medals at SFWSC—credentials that place it at the top of its class in the bottled cocktail segment.

Why Bulleit Old Fashioned?

Consecutive Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2023 and 2024 set this apart from the crowded RTD field, where most entries struggle to earn a single top honor. The 37.5% ABV gives it meaningfully more body and bourbon presence than lower-proof competitors that often taste diluted. Bulleit's 68% corn, 28% rye mashbill provides a spicier, more complex foundation than the corn-heavy bourbons typically used in pre-mixed cocktails. For anyone who values a properly built Old Fashioned but wants the convenience of a ready-to-pour bottle, this expression delivers genuine cocktail-bar character without compromise.